Weekend Update: I Love The Power Glove
Not as much as I love the 1988 movie “The Wizard”.
When one thinks of classic, pivotal cinema, one cannot help but remember the “joy stick hero” masterpiece that is The Wizard. Basic premise: Fred Savage has younger autistic brother whom he rescues from asylum with plans of taking Jimmy (said brother) to California where they were once truly happy. Along the way they pick up Haley, (the actress who years later will form and front Rilo Kiley) discover Jimmy is a gaming wiz and he competes to win 50k.
Chaos ensues. Dreams are made, hearts broken, pedophiles beat up (“HE TOUCHED MY BREAST!”) There are characters named Spanky and Rufus (a gentlemen I had a huge childhood crush on), a Pre-Heathers Christian Slater who is just as zany as ever and the unveiling of the Power Glove and Super Mario 3.
In all honesty, I was convinced that Amanda had died and gone to childhood heaven when the theme song for SM3 came on the screen. “I CAN WARP TO ANY LAND. Seriously, give me the game and I can show you.” I can only equate it to a sober person entering their bedroom and lying down for a deep nights sleep only to find their pillow was made of cocaine. Matthew was more excited about Street Fighter and the fact they left the “converter” outside of Reno.
I was more excited to be spending an evening with two people who I love dearly, reminiscing on childhood memories and antics and remembering (if only for a brief couple of hours) what is was like to be blissfully young.
